Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Eight

It was over a week since they’d gone to view the puppies, and Sandy hadn’t stopped talking about his dog. To keep him happy, Finn had put a picture of a spaniel on the wall calendar in Adele’s kitchen on the day Rhana predicted they could pick up the pup. The first thing Sandy did each morning was to place a cross on the day’s date and count how many more days he had to wait.

Meantime, life went on as usual for Finn. Today he had a meeting with a world-famous photographer. Martin Cooper, who now lived in Bellbird Bay was coming to Pelican Crossing to take shots of the pelican refuge which was run by old Agnes – if she had a surname, it had been long forgotten – and Finn was hoping to be able to use some of them in a feature about the refuge. He’d known Martin when he lived in Bellbird Bay and was looking forward to reconnecting with the man who had won two prestigious Atlas awards and had now given up travelling the world to settle down in the small coastal town to the south of Pelican Crossing.

‘We’re off now, Dad,’ Adele called to Finn who was enjoying a second cup of coffee as he contemplated the day ahead. Her application for the teacher’s aide position had been successful and now, she and Sandy left for school and returned home together. It was good to see her beginning to find her feet again. and so far, it seemed to be going well. Sandy was delighted his mum was working at his school, though not in his class.

‘Have a good day,’ he said, opening his iPad to check the day’s news, always on the lookout for an item The Courier could expand on. Today, apart from the usual news of fighting overseas, floods in one part of the country and bushfires in another, there was nothing to remark on. He closed the iPad and drained his mug, a favourite with the slogan, This GRANDAD belongs to Sandy emblazed across it, the word Grandad in multi-coloured lettering. It had been a Father’s Day gift from Sandy the previous September, and Finn treasured it. Then he set off for the office.

Martin Cooper arrived at ten as arranged. He was a tall man, his faded blond hair tied back in a ponytail, a wide grin on his face. ‘G’day,’ he said, shaking Finn’s hand. ‘Good to see you again. How are you enjoying it here?’

‘Good to see you again too. I’m settling in. It’s a good community, not unlike Bellbird Bay. The Courier was a bit rundown when I arrived. I’ve enjoyed bringing it up to scratch.’

‘And you’ve succeeded. Bellbird Bay’s loss is Pelican Crossing’s gain. I read those articles about the development scare last year… and the explosion. A busy time for you.’

Finn nodded. It was a time he’d rather forget. ‘So,’ he said, ‘you’re here on an assignment. Is it Agnes or the pelicans that interest you?’

‘Both.’ Martin grinned. ‘One of the wildlife magazines I’ve worked with in the past got wind of the pelican refuge and asked me to get some footage. Then, when I looked into it, I discovered it was run by this elderly woman who looks like an aging hippie. Thought there could be a story there. You said you were interested in doing an article too?’

‘I am. Agnes is a bit of an institution in the town. She seems to have lived here for ever. No one knows how old she is. She lives with her spaniel and the birds she cares for on a patch of land by the river, and has amazing skills in tending to the injured creatures. Don’t know why we haven’t featured her before now. It would be a godsend if we could use some of your shots.’

‘No worries. I can let you have some of the ones I don’t send to the mag. You’ve been in touch with her?’

‘She was a bit difficult about it, but agreed to see us at eleven-thirty, as long as we don’t disturb the sick pelicans and promise to behave.’ Finn chuckled. ‘I felt I was back in school when I was talking with her on the phone. Wonder if she was a teacher back in the day? ’

Martin laughed. ‘She sounds interesting. Hope I can get some shots of her too.’

‘Don’t count on it. Thought we could have lunch afterwards, if you’re not in a rush to get back.’

‘Sounds good. Ailsa is busy today, helping out at the garden centre,’ he said referring to his wife. ‘You haven’t made strides in that direction?’ He raised an eyebrow.

Finn flinched. ‘Too busy helping out with my daughter and grandson, mate,’ he said.

‘Sorry, should have asked. I forgot why you moved up the coast. How is your daughter?’

‘She’s getting there. It’s taken a while, but she’s seeing a counsellor now and has found a job. No one prepares you for the death of a partner, especially not at her age, and little Sandy…’ Finn shook his head, then gave a grin. ‘He’s hellbent on getting a dog, can’t wait for his birthday.’

‘Every boy should have a dog.’

Finn nodded. ‘Anyway, ready to rock and roll?’

‘Sure thing.’

*

Agnes’s old spaniel came running to greet Finn and Martin when they parked at the gate to the property.

‘Hello, old girl,’ Finn said, bending down and holding his hand through the gate to let the dog sniff it.

‘You know the dog?’

Finn stood up. ‘Not really. Seen her on the beach with Agnes. Here she is now,’ he said, as the elderly woman walked towards them, her white hair streaming behind her. Today as usual, she was wearing a long skirt and a loose top.

‘You’ve met Lady,’ Agnes said. ‘I know you.’ She looked at Finn, then turned to Martin. ‘You must be the photographer.’

‘Martin Cooper.’ Martin held out his hand.

Agnes opened the gate to allow them to enter and led them past the house to a large, fenced, grassy area attached to the back of a well-maintained shed .

Martin unpacked his camera and started taking shots of the area. Finn thought he saw him including Agnes in several too.

Once inside the shed, Finn talked to the old woman while Martin continued to photograph the birds which were in various stages of recovery. Agnes was happy to tell Finn about how she’d started the centre when she retired from full-time employment and became aware of the problems the seabirds encountered with fishing lines, fishing hooks and other sea debris. But he wasn’t able to learn any more about Agnes herself, sensing she was being deliberately vague about her background.

Despite this, by the time they were done, he had enough for the article he had in mind which would not only publicise her work with the birds but would hopefully assist her in obtaining more funding to continue her endeavours.

They were about to leave, when as they were thanking Agnes and saying goodbye, her old dog suddenly got underfoot, causing the old woman to trip and fall. The dog, clearly sensing she had caused the accident, slunk off in the direction of the house.

‘Hell!’ Martin said. He was encumbered with his camera, so it was left to Finn to help Agnes up.

‘I’m all right,’ she said.

But Finn could see she had a cut on her forehead and had gone very pale. ‘I think you need that seen to,’ he said with a frown. ‘We can take you to the hospital.’

‘No, not the hospital.’ Agnes started to tremble.

Finn and Martin looked at each other. The cut on her forehead needed to be taken care of, and she was clearly suffering from shock. If she was determined not to go to the hospital, they couldn’t force her. Finn’s forehead creased then, ‘What about the medical centre?’ he asked. He’d never had any reason to go there himself, but Adele swore by it. It was more than a doctor’s surgery, including other sorts of medical practitioners, as well as the counsellor Adele and Sandy were seeing. He thought he’d heard her mention a practice nurse and a clinic too.

Agnes seemed more comfortable with his suggestion, so he and Martin helped her into the back seat of Finn’s car.

‘The dog?’ Finn asked, seeing the spaniel running back and forth behind the gate .

‘Lady’ll be fine,’ Agnes said. ‘She has plenty of food and water, and I don’t expect I’ll be long. This is very kind of you.’

‘Not at all.’ Finn fastened her seatbelt before getting behind the wheel and heading back into town.

‘Here we are,’ Finn said, stopping in a parking spot behind the medical centre. He helped Agnes out of the car and, with Martin and him on either side of the old woman, they made their way into the building.

At the sight of a short, slim, dark-haired woman hurrying towards them, Finn felt the breath leave his body. She wasn’t beautiful, but with her finely drawn features, mop of black curls with just a hint of grey and eyes so green a man could drown in them, he felt drawn to her as he hadn’t been to a woman since he and Karen split up, since long before that if he was being honest with himself.